Let’s not pretend — that opening was so over-the-top that I paused just to make sure I hadn’t accidentally started a different anime. Turns out, I hadn’t. My Dress-Up Darling isn’t just back, it’s showing off. The first few minutes of My Dress-Up Darling Season 2, Episode 1, feature a fictional anime being watched by Marin and Gojou. It’s a parody-style, in-universe show meant to resemble a mahou shoujo or action anime, and it’s what inspires Marin’s next cosplay.
The episode opens with a complete curveball, a flashy, in-universe anime that practically hijacks the screen for a few minutes. It’s fast-paced, full of dramatic cuts and bunny-suited characters throwing themselves into high-stakes action. For a moment, it almost feels like a genre shift, and it genuinely made me question if I was still watching My Dress-Up Darling.
But instead of being out of place, it plays beautifully into the show’s DNA: a love letter to anime fandom and costume design. It’s an exaggerated, lovingly animated sequence that sets the stage for Marin’s next cosplay challenge. The visual flair is intense, and the parody feels like a mix of magical girl theatrics and action spoof, stylized to the point that you could imagine it being its own show.
There’s even an extra touch for fans paying attention: the subtitled dialogue within that fake anime itself. It’s a clever production detail that adds polish and shows how much care is put into even the playful, throwaway moments. And honestly? I’d watch 12 episodes of those bunny girls fumbling through missions in fishnets. No notes.
What makes this premiere sing is how much effort went into every corner of it. The fact that even the in-anime anime has properly subtitled dialogue? That’s just a cheeky, loving touch that shows how much this production team gets its audience.
And yes, Spira Spica is back doing the opening song, and they absolutely nailed the tone again. There’s something genuinely sweet about how the opening song centers on Marin searching for Gojou. It feels playful, but there’s a subtle undercurrent to it, like she’s chasing something she doesn’t quite understand yet. Their bond has always been tender, but this opening frames it with even more heart than before.
Marin is… a lot, and I mean that in the best way. When she starts passionately explaining that everyone loves bunny girls, her eyes practically burn with conviction. Gojou? Terrified. Rightfully so. She treats cosplay like it’s sacred, and seeing her unleash that energy again is a reminder of just how electric her presence is.
Then there’s the Pocky scene. We all knew it wasn’t going to escalate into anything scandalous, but it still packed tension. And the way Marin looks at Gojou? That wasn’t just teasing, that was affection, clear and unguarded. She’s in deep, even if she hasn’t said it out loud yet.
In a fun little twist, the episode flips a common rom-com trope. Usually, it’s the guy panicking when the girl invites him over. But here? Gojou casually invites Marin, and she’s the one internally spiraling. It’s subtle, but it says so much about their growth. Gojou’s becoming more grounded and confident, and Marin (usually so bold), is starting to realize that her feelings run deeper than admiration.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Dress-Up Darling without a full-blown cosplay crisis. The bunny suit brings out the best in both characters: Marin’s creative workarounds (boob tape and body glue suggestions included), and Gojou’s stubborn refusal to cut corners. He needs it to look exactly like it did in the anime — even if real-world physics aren’t on their side.
Their visit to the tailor’s shop is another highlight. Gojou is clearly mortified, Marin is completely unbothered, and the shop clerk? Unfazed, helpful, and honestly the MVP of the scene. His deadpan reaction followed by detailed tailoring tips had me laughing out loud. And when he explained that the bunny suit wouldn’t actually flop like it does in anime? Marin’s visible disappointment was peak comedy. This girl lives for screen-accurate fanservice and isn’t shy about it.
We also get a proper introduction to Nowa-chan, one of Marin’s classmates who didn’t get much spotlight in Season 1. She doesn’t do much yet, but she delivers a final line that sets the tone for some serious tension ahead. Marin’s built this little world around her shared hobby with Gojou, but if that world starts leaking into her everyday school life, things could get complicated. And from the look on Marin’s face at the end? She knows it.
The Halloween party scene also reminds us of Gojou’s lingering insecurities. He’s still afraid of people learning he does Hina doll makeup, and though he’s grown, the fear of being “found out” lingers. It’s a small moment, but it grounds the episode’s sillier bits in real emotion.
This premiere hits all the right notes: a visually dazzling fake anime opening, character-driven humor, slow-burn romance, and an honest love for the world of cosplay. Gojou and Marin’s chemistry is stronger than ever, and the series hasn’t lost a step. If anything, it’s found even more ways to shine. With side characters stepping up and emotional stakes beginning to surface, My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 looks ready to take its characters, and its viewers, even deeper.
